Building-block.



No. 888,844. PATENTLD DEG. 18, 1908. J. H. CLAYTON.

BUILDING BLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 17. 1905.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BUILDING-BLOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 18, 1906.

Application filed May 17,1905. Serial No. 260,843.

To @ZZ whom, it may concern,.-

Beit known that I, JOHN HoRRooKs CLAY- TON, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Nashville, in the county of Davidson and State f Tennessee, have invented a new and useful Building-Block, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates particularly to building-blocks of a cementitious or composite nature.

The object is to provide a structure which can be manufactured and shipped in sectional condition and in comparatively small compass; can be readily set up to form a wall with a dead-air space therein, and, furthermore, be so constructed that the spaced wall-sections are tied by novel, durable, and eflicient means, through or along which moisture will not creep or pass, thereby securing a dry inner wall-section.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a block constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view therethrough. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of one of the eye elements. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through a modified form of structure. Fig. 5 is a sectional view at right angles thereto. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the tie device.

Similar reference-numerals designate corresponding parts in all the iigures of the drawings. V

Referring to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. l, 2, and 3, spaced block-sections 7 are employed, each section having embedded therein the terminals 8 of wires having intermediate oifset portions 9, projecting from the inner face of the section, forming eyes, said eyes having substantially straight cross-bar portions l0. These eye elements are preferably located transversely of the section, as shown, and are connected by tie devices ll, formed of flat strips or plates, the terminal portions l2 of which are looped about the straight bar portions 10 and snugly engage the same, so that there will be no edgewise play because of the extended engagements between the plates and the bar portions.

In Figs. 4 and 5 a slightly modified form of structure is shown. The block-sections are designated 7a, and strengthening rods or wires 8a are embedded longitudinally therein, each of said wires being provided with offset portions 9a, forming eyes that project from the inner face of the section. The eyes have exposed cross-bar portions 10a that are substantially straight, and connecting the opposing eyes are tie elements 11a, the terminals l2a of which are snugly wrapped about, the crossbar portionsvlOa.

When the blocks are manufactured, the block-sections are preferably made independent, and can therefore be packed and shipped without unnecessary waste of space between them. The tie elements are preferably manufactured in the shape shown in Fig. 6. In constructing the walls the sections are spaced apart and-are connected by' the tie elements, the bent terminals of which are looped tightly about the cross-bar portions of the eyes. As the width of the tie element is substantially equal to the length of the bar portions of the eyes, said tie elements will be held against edgewise play and swinging movement in one direction, and when the blocks are laid into a wall they will be securely and rigidly spaced apart. This is a distinct advantage, in that no concrete parts are required to bridge the space between the sections, and inasmuch as the tie elements are constructed of metal they will not act as mediums or carriers to permit moisture to creep or pass from the outer to the inner sections. Consequently theinner sections of the wall will be dry. Furthermore, the continuous longitudinal rods or wires in the structure shown in Figs. 4 and 5 perform double functions-namely, acting as reinforcements practically the length of 'the block and as anchors for the eyes. While the structure is preferably in the form of a building-block, as shown, it will be evident that the outer sections alone may be used and spaced from a sheathing or other wall by means of the devices illustrated.

From the foregoing it is though that the construction, operation, and many advantages of the herein-described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, porportion, and minor Idetails of construction may be resorted to withoutv departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a building-block, the combination with a block-section having an eye projecting from its rear face, said eye including a IOO IIO

bar portion, of a tie device comprising a plate looped tightly about the said bar portion and having a width corresponding to the length of the bar portion and being held thereby against edgewise play.

2. In a building-block, the combination with spaced block-sections having eyes projecting from their inner opposing faces, of a tie device for connecting the sections secured in said eyes and interlocking therewith so as to be held against swinging movement in one direction.

3. In a building-block, the combination with spaced block-sections having eyes projecting from their inner opposing faces between the side margins of said sections, of a tie device for connecting the sections having its terminal portions wrapped about said eyes and held against swinging movement in one direction with respect thereto.

4. In a building-block, the combination with spaced block-sections, of a strengthening device embedded longitudinally in each section, each of said strengthening devices having a plurality of offset portions projecting from the inner face of the section carrying it, and forming a plurality of eyes, and tie devices connecting the sections and secured in the oppositelyedisposed eyes thereof, said tie devices interlocking with the eyes so as to be held against swinging movement in one direction.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN I-IORROCKS CLAYTON.

Witnesses:

JNO. L. SMITH, THOMAS A. KERcHEvAL. 

